Onoko – Steamer 1882-1915 (SHIPWRECK)

The steamer Onoko was the first iron-hulled, iron-screw steam freighter on the Great Lakes. The Onoko was built at Radcliff’s yard in Cleveland by the Globe Iron Works and was launched on Feb. 16, 1882. It was the largest vessel on the Great Lakes until steel hull freighters were introduced 10 years later. The Onoko is historically significant as the prototype for a very large and important class of commercial ship, the Great Lakes bulk freighter. Bulk freighters made possible the cheap transport of raw materials for the steel industry, including iron ore, coal and limestone. Because of its economic success, the Onoko was the prototype for all modern bulk freighters. The wreck was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

In early September, 1915, the Onoko grounded while departing a Duluth grain elevator but freed itself and cleared the harbor. This event likely contributed to a fateful episode a few days later. On Sep. 15, 1915, after leaving Duluth with 110,000 bushels of wheat the Onoko developed a serious leak under its machinery. At about 12:30 p.m. the Onoko was about 25 miles east of Duluth, abreast of Knife Island when the engineer witnessed water gushing in beneath the engine. Pumps were unable to keep up with the rising water and the Onoko began to founder. The Captain, W.R. Dunn, ordered the ships boats cast off and the crew of 16 and one passenger escaped safely. The survivors were quickly picked up by the Standard Oil steamer Renown and taken to Duluth. Water rushed in through the engine room ceiling and the freighter settled stern first to the bottom. The Onoko sank in 35 minutes in 220 feet of water.
 

Onoko Sinking Ship Photos

Complete Onoko Historical Information

All Content the property of the MN Historical Society. Photo the property of Institute for Great Lakes Research, Bowling Green State University.

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